Exclusive:Sentencing of child sex offender in Portsmouth put on hold - because his dog was stolen
Stanley arrived in court wearing a hat that read “may contain alcohol”.
A man who admitted to several child sex offences will not be sentenced yet - because his dog was taken from him.
Nicholas Stanley, 45 from Lucknow Street, Landport, pleaded guilty earlier this year to three child sex charges. These were making indecent images of a child, attempted sexual communication with a child, and attempting to meet a child following grooming.
He had been remanded on conditional bail, and was due to be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court earlier today (Friday, October 30).
But Stanley - who arrived at court wearing a hat that read “may contain alcohol” - will now not learn his fate until next year, with his barrister citing a drop in his mental health, in turn causing a missed appointment with authorities. This was chiefly caused by an incident where his dog was stolen, the court heard.
Daniel Reilly, representing Stanley, said: “The reason he didn’t attend his appointment is a downturn in his mental health. He has recently been the victim of being taken advantage of, or rather expoloited by, someone he thought he could trust - including taking his dog.
“During that period, he has once again struggled with his mental state. It’s for those reasons that I ask that the matter be adjourned.”
The court heard how his mother, who had been taking him to and from appointments, was not around at the time of the incident, and that Stanley’s mental health spiralled in the aftermath.
No mention was made in court of who might have taken Stanley’s dog, or their current whereabouts. Ed Warren, prosecuting, offered up no observations from the Crown Prosecution Service.
The judge in this case, Recorder Emma Zeb, agreed to adjourn the case until the new year, so that a mental health assessment on Stanley could be carried out.
She said: “I have heard the reasons given, and I accept it and the difficulties presenting themselves at the moment. I will adjourn this matter for a mental health assessment.
“Stanley, you are facing a number of serious matters here. I appreciate things have been tough lately, but you must attend that assessment, as it needs to be done.”
Stanley will continue to be remanded on conditional bail, and will now be sentenced on February 5, 2027.